Program Achievements

Utility modernization advances the financial viability and efficiency of local energy sectors through the improvement and expansion of transmission and distribution systems, cybersecurity measures, loss reduction and digitization efforts, and tariff reforms. The region’s electric and gas utilities must be financially viable in order to provide—and expand—access to affordable, reliable energy.

• Creation of DISCOM Resource Planning Software, a new tool developed in partnership with Indian distribution utilities (DISCOM), to dynamically forecast consumers’ electricity demands on an hourly basis for up to 20 years; develop resource plans that better integrate renewable technologies, and make cost-effective renewable energy procurements.
• Flexible operations pilot at 1,410 MW of central and state thermal power plants at 40% capacity, building the business case for policy and regulatory changes to enable flexibility requirements for coal-based stations in the region.
• Ministry of Power (MOP) support to develop innovative private participation models in power distribution business, related guidelines, standard bidding documents and contracts to facilitate effective rollout of the models.
• Roadmap for Smart Grid Knowledge Center (SGKC). SGKC was established by POWERGRID as a global Centre for Excellence. SGKC is a first of its kind platform in India to foster innovation, research and entrepreneurship through demonstration and knowledge exchange of smart grid technologies. USAID, in partnership with the MOP provides technical assistance to the SGKC to develop it as a global Center of Excellence of Smart Grid.
• Automatic Generation Control (AGC) pilot project support. AGC pilot on 1,765 MW Hydel and 250 MW Solar power generation plants will provide the experience and pathway for a national market-based framework for harnessing flexibility from various energy sources in the grid.

Increased Deployment of Advanced Energy Systems intends to meet growing energy demand at lowest cost while maintaining reliability and minimizing environmental impact. USAID supports faster and cleaner energy transition by promoting transformative technologies, institutionalized processes of energy system planning, and addressing the energy trilemma of security, sustainability and affordability.

• Pilot project to enable a range of grid services and conducting value stream modeling for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility of the central transmission utility (PGCIL) in India.
• Assistance to eight Indian states to notify RE Forecasting, Scheduling and Deviation Settlement Regulations.
• Assistance in retrofitting more than 10,000 buildings with 1.7 million energy efficient cooling and lighting appliances, leading to annual energy savings and greenhouse gas reduction of 220 million kWh and 180,000 tons, respectively.
• Technical assistance to frame net zero energy vision for upcoming new and redevelopment building projects.
• Introduction of Factory Engagement program to transform energy, water and safety management practices in participating factories, with an estimated GHG reduction of 20,000 MtCO2e over the life of the program. Trained 3874 managers, factory workers, and youth from more than 150 factories.
• Creation of National Motor Replacement Project (NMRP), which is estimated to reduce GHG emissions by as much as 45-57 million MTCO2e.
• Support for installation of more than 60 Public Charging Stations for electric vehicles in New Delhi, India and deployed more than 1,500 electric vehicles and 540 chargers across the country as of June 2020.
• Framework for National Roll Out of Smart Prepaid Meters in India. The assistance includes developing the Standard Bidding Document (SBD) and Tripartite Agreement for third party finance, installation and management of smart meters without upfront investment by the distribution utilities. It is expected that the program will unlock a market worth USD 20 billion initially that will be open for international bidders as well.
• USAID and Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) jointly launched a national level program on Retrofit of Air-conditioning to improve Indoor Air Quality for Safety and Efficiency (RAISE). USAID and EESL also signed an MoU to scale-up the program nationally and MoU’s were also exchanged between EESL and NTPC Limited and Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFC) to implement the program in their offices.

Transparent, Best Value Procurement practices allow countries to reliably and affordably generate sufficient energy supplies through the promotion of competitive procurement mechanisms such as auctions, quality standards for best-value products, and demand aggregation. All of this creates a level playing field for private sector companies, while allowing countries to affordably generate and procure energy goods and services.

• Government of Nepal assistance to establish the Upper Trishuli-1 (UT-1) Project Development Unit, now located in the Ministry’s Department of Electricity Development. Project Development Unit support in drafting and negotiation of Power Purchase Agreements for the sale of power.
• Bulk procurement program design support for 150,000 Super-efficient air conditioners wherein higher efficiency standards are incorporated in the procurement criteria.
• EESL support to reduce electric vehicle public charging station costs by 15-20% with newly created demand aggregation and bulk procurement model.
• Ministry of Power (India) support in developing innovative private participation models (like input-based distribution franchise, multiple franchise) and developing related guidelines, standard bidding documents, and contracts to facilitate effective rollout of the models.
• Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (India) support to announce a new strategy for Procuring Renewable Energy (RE) which will address the issues of variability, limited hours of supply, and low capacity utilization of transmission infrastructure.
• State of Gujarat support to adopt two innovative tariff suggestions for utilization of solar generation during evening peak demand time with the help of energy storage.

Regional Energy Trade and Integration will offer substantial economic benefits and unlock billions of dollars in the regional energy market through the development of power markets and regional exchanges. Legal and regulatory frameworks enable power and gas trade and the development of power markets, including regional power exchanges.

• On June 1, 2020, India introduced the real-time market (RTM) for power trading, paving the way for a more efficient electricity market and smooth integration of renewable energy. With the launch of RTM, electricity distribution companies will now be able to purchase power in spot markets just an hour before delivery. With the technical support from USAID, CERC amended three regulations (the Indian Electricity Grid Code Regulations, Power Market Regulations, and Open Access in Inter-State Transmission Regulations) to introduce the RTM framework.
• Working Group support under the South Asia Forum of Infrastructure Regulation (SAFIR) to facilitate knowledge sharing, addressing regulatory issues and capacity building in South Asia.
• Council of Energy Experts support under the SAARC Working Group of Regulators.
• Support to establish the Electricity Regulatory Commission in Nepal and support key regulations development for electricity sector reforms in Nepal.
• Compendium of Electricity Regulations of South Asian Countries to enable better energy cooperation and integration within the region.
• Technical studies for feasibility of cross-border interconnections, supporting development of corridor between Bangladesh-India-Nepal.
• Pilot on Roadmap for South Asian Regional Power Exchange (SARPEX) to establish the feasibility of regional power exchange and build the capacity of stakeholders in Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh on power exchange platform.

• Launch of “South Asia Women in Energy (SAWIE)” platform. SAWIE brings together leaders, particularly women leaders, across the energy sector to design interventions that can help bridge the gender gaps. The interventions are focused around outreach, recruitment, mentorship, networking and professional development.
• Helped two Indian utilities in a gender sensitive COVID-19 response, while expanding gender equality and empowerment initiatives in wider utility operations.
• Launch of India’s first Emission Trading Scheme and the world’s first cap-and-trade market on particulate pollution—on July 15, 2019, in the form of a large-scale pilot program in Gujarat that achieved a 29% drop in deadly particulate pollution generated by industrial plants, while cutting costs.